Explain Dreidles

[Piebald]

My understanding is that they are like a "top," but I don't understand their role in Hannukah, a holiday I rarely spell correctly. Is it a game that's played, like a fun tradition? Or is there religious significance like a ritual? Maybe both?

[sylvius]

My understanding is that they are like a "top," but I don't understand their role in Hannukah, a holiday I rarely spell correctly. Is it a game that's played, like a fun tradition? Or is there religious significance like a ritual? Maybe both?

http://www.beingjewish.com/yomtov/chanukah/customs.html

The dreidel came about because of the Greek persecutions. At one point, the Greeks declared that it was forbidden to study Torah. The Rabbis would take their students and hide in the woods and in caves, and study Torah with them there. They took along dreidels. If a Greek soldier found them, they would pretend they were gambling with the dreidels.

To remember how G-d saved us from those terrible times, the people took on the custom of playing with dreidels.

[Piebald]

Interesting. So are they only a symbol, or are they actually used in traditions? Or are they used as traditional toys?

[Storico]

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holi...me/Dreidel.htm

This page was one I used so I could bring dreidles in for students last year (as well as talk to Jewish students about their holiday celebrations). It's a neat page!

[Amazing Rando]

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holi...me/Dreidel.htm

This page was one I used so I could bring dreidles in for students last year (as well as talk to Jewish students about their holiday celebrations). It's a neat page!

Oh Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, I made it out of clay,
And when it's dry and ready, then Dreidel I shall play!

[Storico]

Oh Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, I made it out of clay,
And when it's dry and ready, then Dreidel I shall play!

I have fun Hanukkah memories from being a kid, and I've never been Jewish. The elementary school I was in at that time had the same parent come into our class three years in a row to bring dreidles, potato latkes, and to tell the story of the oil lamps. It was a good time those few years. I still miss those potato latkes.

[Amazing Rando]

I have fun Hanukkah memories from being a kid, and I've never been Jewish. The elementary school I was in at that time had the same parent come into our class three years in a row to bring dreidles, potato latkes, and to tell the story of the oil lamps. It was a good time those few years. I still miss those potato latkes.

In 6th grade, we had a "world food day," and everyone was supposed to make some food from their family's country of origin. One Jewish kid brought in falafel to share, and I tried one, and all I could think of was how the falafel made me feel awful.

[sylvius]

Interesting. So are they only a symbol, or are they actually used in traditions? Or are they used as traditional toys?

http://www.thirtysix.org/modules.php...rticle&sid=415

the construction of the Mishkan was completed on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev, the future date of Chanukah and the of holiday Chanukah Gelt (Chanukah Money). True, on a Pshat-Level playing dreidel for money is a reminder of how the Jews of that time used to pretend to be playing games so that they could continue to study Torah in secret and safety. However, on a Sod-Level Chanukah Gelt is about purchasing our right to survive from our enemies.

(...)

For, when the Jews gave gold to build the golden calf they sold themselves out and made themselves vulnerable to destruction by the nations of the world. However, by contributing to the construction of the Mishkan they bought themselves back, and this is why it was so important that their giving was leshmi (for G-d's sake), and not for an ulterior purpose. It had to be a true giving.

[sylvius]

http://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanu...asp?AID=338404

The Dreidel in the Bible?

Based on this theme we find a phenomenal "coincidence" with these four letters of the Dreidel. The first place where these letters occur as a word in the Torah is in the Parshah (Torah Reading) of Vayigash (Genesis 44-47, always in proximity to Chanukah), where they spell the word Goshnah, meaning "to Goshen."

The Patriarch Jacob was sending his son, Judah, to the Egyptian city of Goshen to set up a house of study, in advance of Jacob's, and his entire family's, relocation to that land. Our patriarch was aware that this was a dreadful descent into exile. But he looked at all of the letters of the Dreidel, and realized that hidden in the exile are the seeds of redemption. Study must continue, especially in exile. As long as we are able to retain the vital Divine information, the exile cannot hold sway over us. And our study and performance become the vehicle for the ultimate redemption.

This is similar to the origin of the Dreidel. According to tradition, during the times of Greek oppression Torah study was forbidden. When the children were studying, they would keep a Dreidel nearby to pull out and play in case they were discovered. (A bit opposite from our Hebrew school experience, perhaps.) At the time, the students may have thought that the game was a distraction from their true purpose in life. But in truth, G-d conceals His countenance to draw out our commitment and connection to Him. It's all about revealing the Divine in the least likely places. That's what a miracle is.

The Dreidel was the formula to elicit the underlying truth of the Jewish soul.